Red Cross opens warming shelter in Kalamazoo at Senior Services

Conditions like those pictured in this file photo could be in store for parts of Southwest Michigan tonight and Monday.MLive file photo

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A warming center was opened at 7 p.m. Sunday for any Kalamazoo-area residents who are without power and heat.

The American Red Cross opened the warming center at Senior Services, 918 Jasper St., according to a news release from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office.

High winds overnight knocked out electric service to more than 1,600 customers of Consumers Energy in Kalamazoo County, the utility reported. As of mid-afternoon that number had been reduced to fewer than 800 customers and at 7:40 p.m., Consumers Energy was reporting the number was below 300.

Statewide, more than 60,000 Consumers Energy customers had service interrupted since winds picked up Saturday night, the Jackson-based utility said.

Consumers Energy estimated that power would be restored to most customers by late Monday.